Pipe bending and layout table



y 1952 J. 1.. BLAKE ET AL 2,604,924

PIPE BENDING AND LAYOUT TABLE Filed May 19, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FI tlto I I I I N INVENTORQ c/ozz Cockran, Jag/ L. [0%9,

ATI'D R N EYB July 2 1952 J. L. BLAKE ET AL PIPE BENDING AND LAYOUTTABLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 19, 1950 INVENTOR. /0512 60 alra 2,

A'ITD RN EYS y 29, 1952 J. BLAKE ET AL 2,604,924

PIPE BENDING AND LAYOUT TABLE Filed May 19, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR. s! (/0254 600% ram,

ATTDRN EYS July 29, 1 J. BLAKE ET AL 2,604,924

PIPE BENDING AND LAYOUT TABLE Filed May 19, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VENTOR. (b /2 C 0 6 57'0/2,

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ATTD R N EYE Patented July 29, 1952 L H 2,604,924 a PIPEBENDIXG ANDLAYOUT TABLE 'Jack fieroy Blake and john Coch c Houston, Tex,

Application May-l9, 1950,- Ser ial No. 162,'96'6 to a desiredi'curvature or configuration.

Another object of the invention is toprovicle apipe rbencling tablewhich can be readily ad J'usted so as to insure proper alignmentof thepipe and bending mechanism, the table including" a graduated chart thatenables the use'rto bend pipeto any. exact angle by visual observation,as desired. A i

Still-another. object of the invention is to pro"-' vide 'a; table whichhas-a pipe-bending meehay nism movably mounted .ther'eonysothat the usercanbend pipe to a desired angle by simplyand quickly. moving the 'pip-bending" mechanism" and without the necessity of'mo'vingthe pipe eachtimeit is't'o be bent. 1 1. Other objects and advantages of theinvention willibe apparent during the course of; the follow-' ingdescription. f In the accompanying drawings fo-rming apart of thisapplication, andin which like numerals areusedthroughout the same todesignate like partsf f v" Figure I is a-tp'p1an view of thepipe-bending tableisho'w'ijg asection o'f pipe positioned thereon and'inbrokenlines;

Figure'la'iis afragmentary top planvie'w o f the pipe-bending table,showing the leaf or shelf raised -to an operable position; f

Figure '2 is an enlarged top plan view of the layout char-t; Y Y

Figure 3 is an end elevational View of one-ofthe'leve'lingmembers'andpipe-holding Vises; I h Figure 4 a verticalsectional-view taken through themember shown in Figure '3; -1Figu1e5 isa sectional View taken on the line 5"5 0f Figure 4; g Figure o is asectional View taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 4; 7 h V Figure"? is a'sideeleyational view of the auxiliary leveling-unit; I Figure 8i-i s afragmentary side elevational' view of the pipe-bending table ofthe'prese'nt invention showing the braces and adjustable legconstrucion; r i 1 Figure 9 is a bottom plan view of the movablemountfor the conventional pipe-bending ma-I chine usedon' thepipe-bending table of thepresw entinven'tion; Figure 10:1 sectional viewtaken'on' the line W- efll'of Figure a "eolaim s. (c1. 153+38),

portion'3l that Provided "for rleaStbly maintain x-Referring in detail"to the drawings,"the numeral 20 designates a tablewhichiinoludesathorizontally disposed top ioripl'atforrr'lii'l Tthatis supported by aplurality of vertically "disposed, spaced parallel'legs' 221 A threaded-sh'a'ft'24 operatively "connects a ground-engaging support member 23 tothe lowei' encl of each of the legs .2,=Figure 8, so that by'prop'erly"adjusting the support members 23the user can align :o'r'level the:table 20. iSuitable horizontally disposed braces :25 extend' between'az'ijacent legs '22 and are'secured thereto, therebein'g inclined'bra'ces 26 extending between the-tabl'etop i l a'nd' bra'ces 25, and thebraces 25 and 26 :help "to steady or maintain-the legs-intheirpr'op'erspaxie'drelation. Projecting from one side of the iplatform'zr is anextension' 'zil Figures 1 and l a; and hing'edly connectedtothe-freelongitudinal edge' o f the extension! 1 by hingeslfi isa'shel'ff'or dropieaf za'; When the drop'leaf '28 is nee'dedorfbeing'used, it can be swung' or raised fro'mflhe position shown inFigure 1 tothe'position shown in Fi'g ure 1a; and. anyconve'rition'allocking" eans' can; be I the'drb'Ii-kaf assigns-hor zontapositions" I Arranged'contiguous to the upper surface of the 'platfohnZfl is a" calibrated layout chartio which enables j the I user-toaccurately ascertain the exact angle or curvature of the pipe beingbent; The lay0utchart '30 ineludesa rectangular is secured to theplatform 21' by suitable securing elements, such as; screws 32, Figure-1; and a second 'portion-fl ofthel'ayout chart 39 is secured to-the'uppersur'face of the drop leaf 28, Figure 10 "me portions '33 and 31 ofthe layout chart 30 can be used independently or together, dependingupon -whioh way the pipe P'is beingbe'nt; A- portion of thelayout chart3 0 is shownindetail in FigureQQand'it will beseenthat: the chart at isp evidee with-apluralityfof 'anged graduation'sj orjindicia'thereon.TIhus, arr

ollthe layout chart au al-e angle m i s v311 which can be used tovisually-determine the, angle to -which the pipe 'is'b'e'ing' bent;rheseangm dications 34 include the] numerals 0 :15; "and other numeralsup 'through'a 9 0 anglef Thelayi out chart 30 furtherincludes;ihdiciaoi' markin' S 35 that serve to ir l dioateth'lehgth ofthe pipe in one directionfand arranged at right angles with respect tothe markings .35'is asimilar row or set of markings 36 which'wcan also'beflusedt ascertain the length of pipe'b'eing' bent. 3 I

Previ s injg'pipe' to use the pipe'tob'e bent was moved each time a newit .has been thefpra'ctice in bend- 1 r v or employ apipe-b'ending'rneehe anis m that, may, be hydraulically actuatedfiandconfiguration was to be applied to the pipe. However, by means of themethod and apparatus of the present invention, the section of pipe, suchas the pipe P, is maintained immobile or stationary while a pipe-bendingmechanism is moved along the section of pipe so as to shape or bend thepipe P to the desired configuration, as later described in thisapplication. To accomplish this, apipe-bending mechanism 31, Figure 1,is movably mounted on the platform 2!. The pipe-bending mechanism 31includes a horizontally disposed plate or mount 4| which has a pluralityof sockets 38 secured to its under surface, Figure 10, by suitablesecuring elements, such as screws or bolts 39 The sockets 38 eachrotatably carry a ball or ball bearing 40, and the plurality of ballbearings 40 engage the upper surface of the platform 2| so as to providethat the pipe-*bending mechanism 31 will be mobile on the platform 2!.The sockets 38 are socon'structed that the balls 40 will notaccidentally'fall therefrom.

'The'pipe-bending mechanism 31- has secured to its upper surface aconventional unit which includes a housing 42 that is adapted to beconnected to a source of hydraulic fluid or power. A frame 43 alsoconstitutes part of the conventional bending unit, the frame 43 carryingthe pair of blocks 44 which serve to engage one side of the pipe P beingbent. A plunger 45'engages the opposite side of the pipe P, the plunger45 being actuated by the. hydraulic pressure supplied to the housing 42.

, For supporting the free end of the pipe P, and for preventing the pipeP from scratching or otherwise damaging the layout chart-38, anauxiliary leveling unit 4B;is provided, Figure 7. The leveling unit 46can be moved to any desired position, along the platform 2|, and theleveling unit 46 includes a horizontally disposed beam 41 which issupported by a pair of vertically disposed, threaded shafts48. ,Theshafts 48 are each arranged in threaded engagement with abushing 49 thatis secured to the beam, 41, there. being a shoe 50 arranged in,engagement with the lower end of each of the shafts 48. Ahand wheel 5|is mounted on the upper end of each of the shafts 48, sothat by properlyrota-ting the hand wheel 5|, the shafts 48 can-be rotated to-raise andlower the corresponding end, ofthe beam 41 so as to level or properlyalign the free 'end of the pipe P being supported. 7 r

A means is provided for properly clamping the pipe P so that it willremain immobile while being bent, and this; means also'includes a'leveling mechanism to insure that the pipe P is at the proper horizontallevel withrespect to the pipebending mechanism-.31, This last-namedmeans for-levelingand' clamping the pipeP is designated generally bythenumeral 52, and it will be seen fromFigure l that; there-are two ofthese vise-like assemblies 52. Sinceeach of these vise-- like assemblies52 hasthesarneconstruction, only one will be-describedin detail. Thedetailed construction of one, of these vise-like assemblies 52 isshowninFigures 3,,4, 5 and 6. V

The vise-like assembly 52 includes a vertically disposed post 53 whichmay be connected to the edge of the table 28 in any suitable manner, anda vertically disposed plate 54 has one end secured to the post 53, as bywelding. The upper edge of the plate 54 slidably projects into a groove55 which is arranged in the lower surface or base 55 of ajaw 51, Figure'5. The jaw 51 is adapted to be mountedso that it canbe moved toward andaway from. the post 53, whereby the pipe P can be clamped between thejaw 51 and post 53 while the pipe is being bent. For causing thismovement, a shaft 58 has a hand wheel 59 mounted on one end thereof, anda portion 68 of the shaft 58 is threaded exteriorly, the threadedportion 68 being arranged in engagement with a threaded bore 61 that isformed in the base 56 of the jaw 51. The other end of the shaft 58 isrotatably connected to a bushing 62, Figure 4, so that by properlyrotating the hand wheel 59, the shaft 58 can be rotated to thereby movethe jaw 51 toward and away from the post 53 to thereby clamp or releasethe pipe P between the jaw and post.

Each of the vise-like assemblies 52 further includes a means forvertically adjusting the pipe P so as to insure that it is properlyleveled or aligned with respect to the pipe-bending mechanism 31. Thislast-named means includes a pair of spaced, parallel partitions 63 and64, Figure, 6, and these partitions 53 and 54 are slidably connected tothe post 53 so that they can be 66, and the lower end of a verticallydisposed,ex-

teriorly threaded shaft 61 is rotatably connected to the block 66. Ahand wheel 68 is mountedon the upper end of the shaft 61 forrotating thelatter, the shaft 61 being arranged in threaded engagement with abushing 69 that is mounted on the upper end of the post 53. Thus, byproperly rotating the handwheel 68, the shaftfi'l can be rotated tothereby raise or lower the partitions 63 and 64 which support the pipeP; It is to be understood that during this vertical adjustment of thepipe P, the jaw 51- is not inits clamping position, so that there willbe'no' interference with vertical adjustment of the pipeP. Thepartitions 63 and G4 slide; in or move'lin tracks or guideways that aredefined by.;suit'able angle irons 69 which coact with the .post53; Fig-'ure 6, the angle irons 69 being securedto .:the post 53 and toa-horizontally disposed brace H.

In use, the table 28 is set up or assembled, as shown in the drawings,and the shoes or support members 23 are adjusted on the shaft 24 so asto properly level the platform 2| on the table. If desired, the dropleaf 28 is moved to its operative or horizontal position, as shown inFigure 1a, and then the piece of pipe P that'is to be bentor shaped isarranged so that it extends through the bending mechanism 31. The pipe Pis alsorsupported by the partitions B3 and 64 of the vise-likeassemblies 52, and an end of the pipe? projects over the layout chart 30and is supported on ithe.

wheels 68 are manually rotated in order to raise or lower the partitions63 and 64, whereby the pipe P can be located at the correct. elevationwith respect to the plunger 45 of the pipe-bending mechanism 31. Next,the hand wheels .59, are rotated to move the jaws 51intoclamping-relation with respect to the pipe P, whereby thepipe willnot accidentally move while being-bent'or acted upon by the pipe-bendingmechanism. Then, the plunger 45 of the pipe-bending mechanism isactuated by the usual hydraulic means, whereby the pipe P is caused tobe bent to a desired angle. The angle to which the pipe is.-being bentcan be accurately and exactly ascertained by observing the layout chart30 below the project ing end of the pipe. Also, the pipe P is accuratelybent or shaped by simply moving the pipe-bending mechanism 31 along theplatform 2|, and it is to be noted that it is not necessary to move thepipe P during this bending operation. The ball bearings 40 facilitate orinsure a smooth movement of the pipe-bending mechanism 31 along theplatform 2|. After the pipe P has been bent to the desired shape, thejaws 51 can be loosened by means of the wheels 59 and the pipe P removedfrom the apparatus.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that a method of and apparatus hasbeen provided which will facilitate or expedite the bending of pipes orconduits, the apparatus of the present invention including a layoutchart which will enable the user to form the pipe to a predeterminedfigure or measurement. In the present invention, the pipe is secured ina plane surface, after proper leveling adjustments have been made, andthe bending mechanism is moved along the pipe to shape the latter. Thedrop leaf 28 can be quickly raised or lowered in the event that a leftor reversed bend is to be made in the pipe. The bending mechanism 30 canbe readily shifted along the pipe so as to enable the pipe to be bent tothe desired shape. The plate 4| of the bending mechanism 3! enables aquick shifting of the bending mechanism to the desired location on theplatform 2| We claim:

1. In combination, a table including a horizontally disposed platform, aplurality of vertically disposed legs for supporting said platform, aground-engaging support member adjustably connected to the lower end ofeach of said legs, a pair of vises arranged in spaced relation along oneside of said tableand connected thereto, each of said vises including avertically disposed post, a jaw mounted for movement toward and awayfrom said post for clamping a pipe therebetween, leveling partitions forsupporting said pipe mounted for vertical adjustment with respect tosaid post, manually operable means for adjusting said jaws andvpartitions, a calibrated chart arranged along a portion of the uppersurface of said platform, a drop leaf hingedly connected to saidplatform.

2. In combination, a table including a horizontally disposed platform, aplurality of vertically disposed legs for supporting said platform, aground-engaging support member adjustably connected to the lower end ofeach of said legs, a pair of vises arranged in spaced relation along oneside of said table and connected thereto, each of said vises including avertically disposed post, a jaw mounted for movement toward and awayfrom said post for clamping a pipe therebetween, leveling partitions forsupporting said pipe mounted for vertical adjustment with respect tosaid post, manually operable means for adjusting said jaws andpartitions, a calibrated chart arranged along a portion of the uppersurface of said platform, a drop leaf hingedly connected to saidplatform, and a pipe-bending mechanism movably mounted on said platform.

3. In combination, a table including a horizontally disposed platform, aplurality of vertically disposed legs for. supporting said platform,

a ground-engaging support member adjustably connected to the lower endof each of said legs, a pair of vises arranged in 'spacedrelation alongone side of said table and connected thereto, each of said visesincluding a vertically disposed post, a jaw mounted for movement towardand away from said post for clamping a pipe therebetween, levelingpartitions for supporting said pipe mounted for vertical adjustment withrespect to said post, manually operable means for adjusting said jawsand partitions, a calibrated chart arranged along a portion of the uppersurface of said platform, a drop leaf hingedly connected to saidplatform, a pipe-bending mechanism movably mounted on said platform, andan auxiliary leveling unit movably mounted on said platform forsupporting the free end of the pipe being bent.

4. In combination, a table including a horizontally disposed platform, apair of vises arranged in spaced relation along one side of said tableand connected thereto. each of said vises including a verticallydisposed post, a jaw mounted for movement toward and away from said postfor clamping a pipe therebetween, leveling partitions for supportingsaid pipe mounted for vertical adjustment with respect to said post,manually operable means for adjusting said jaws and partitions, acalibrated chart arranged along a portion of the upper surface of saidplatform, and a drop leaf hingedly connected to said platform.

5. In combination, a table including a horizontally disposed platform, apair of vises arranged in spaced relation along one side of said tableand connected thereto, each of said vises including a verticallydisposed post, a jaw mounted for movement toward and away from said postfor clamping a pipe therebetween, leveling partitions for supportingsaid pipe mounted for vertical adjustment with respect to said post,manually operable means for adjusting said jaws and partitions, and acalibrated chart arranged along a portion of the upper surface of saidplatform.

6. In a pipe-bending layout, a table including a horizontally disposedplatform, a pair of vises arranged in spaced relation along one side ofsaid table and connected thereto, each of said vises including avertically disposed post, a jaw mounted for movement toward and awayfrom said post for clamping a pipe therebetween, leveling partitions forsupporting said pipe mounted for vertical adjustment with respect tosaid post, and manually operable means for adjusting'said jaws andpartitions.

JACK LEROY BLAKE. JOHN COCHRAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,410,691 McCallum Mar. 28, 19221,501,751 Crannell July15, 1924 1,514,025 Stensrud Nov. 4, 19241,772,899 Johnson Aug. 12, 1930 2,464,459 Newlon Mar. 15, 1949

